Preterm infant nutritional compositions containing beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid

Abstract

Preterm infant nutritional compositions comprising beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid for supporting growth, accretion of lean body mass, and a healthy body composition in preterm infants are provided. The preterm infant nutritional compositions may be liquid formulas, fortifiers, and supplements. Methods for supporting growth, accretion of lean body mass, and a healthy body composition in a preterm infant are also provided. The methods include administering a preterm infant nutritional composition comprising beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid to the preterm infant.

1 . A liquid preterm infant nutritional composition comprising from about 60 μg to about 6,000 mg of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid per liter of the composition, the composition having an energy density of from about 676 kcal to about 1014 kcal per liter. 
     
     
         2 . The preterm infant nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is selected from the group of: liquid infant formula; liquid human milk fortifier; and liquid protein supplement. 
     
     
         3 . The preterm infant nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid is in a form selected from: free acid; salt; anhydrous salt; ester; lactone; and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The preterm infant nutritional composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid is a beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid salt selected from: calcium salt; sodium salt; potassium salt; magnesium salt; chromium salt; and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The preterm infant nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , comprising protein in an amount from about 15 grams to about 35 grams of protein per liter of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . The preterm infant nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , comprising protein in an amount from about 18 grams to about 32 grams of protein per liter of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . The preterm infant nutritional composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition is a liquid human milk fortifier having an energy density of from about 2 kcal to about 10 kcal per 5 mL of the fortifier. 
     
     
         8 . The preterm infant nutritional composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition is a liquid protein supplement comprising an energy density of from about 2 kcal to about 10 kcal per 6 mL of the supplement. 
     
     
         9 . A method for promoting protein synthesis, promoting growth and accretion of lean body mass, or both in a preterm infant, the method comprising the step of administering to the preterm infant a preterm infant nutritional composition comprising from about 60 μg to about 6,000 mg beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid, wherein the preterm infant nutritional composition has an energy density of from about 676 kcal to about 1014 kcal per liter. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the preterm infant nutritional composition is selected from the group of: liquid infant formula; liquid human milk fortifier; and liquid protein supplement. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of preparing the preterm infant nutritional composition by reconstituting a nutritional powder comprising beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the weight percentage of the beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid in the nutritional powder is from about 0.000004% to about 25% by weight of the nutritional powder. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the weight percentage of the beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid in the nutritional powder is from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the nutritional powder. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the preterm infant nutritional composition comprises protein in an amount of from about 15 grams to about 35 grams of protein per liter of the composition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the preterm infant nutritional composition comprises protein in an amount of from about 18 grams to about 32 grams of protein per liter of the composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the preterm infant nutritional composition is administered to the preterm infant orally or parenterally.